Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice has endorsed to its Court of Appeals (CA) the request of the Philippine government to extradite former Negros Oriental congressman and designated terrorist Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the country so he could face trial for several murder cases, including the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March 2023.
Department of Justice spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV asked the public for more patience as the government has no control over how and when Timor-Leste’s CA will decide on the Philippine government’s request.
“If they see that our request is legitimate and all the supporting documents are attached, they will grant it. We are confident because all requirements are attached. All clarifications of the government of Timor-Leste are addressed by the legal division of the DOJ,” Clavano said in an interview.
“So, we are just waiting for the formal and official announcement that the case has already been decided on,” Clavano added.
It has been two months since Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor-Leste while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar.
His arrest came three weeks after the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) placed him on its red notice system and his passport cancelled by a trial court in Manila.
The DOJ official said he is optimistic the Timor-Leste’s CA would be able to decide on the request within the next few weeks.
Teves is facing trial for several counts of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder in connection with the killing of Degamo and nine others last March 4, 2023.
Aside from Degamo’s murder, Teves, along with several other individuals, have also been charged in connection with several other killings in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves has been declared a fugitive from justice following the issuance of arrest warrants by the local courts in connection with the criminal charges filed against him.
He left the country for the United States for medical purposes on February 9, 2023 up to March 9, 2023.
Instead of returning to the country, the former lawmaker opted to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste after he was implicated as mastermind in the Degamo’s killing.
